Dueling Goro...

Isoroku Proving Grounds

Caripare

Irece Prefecture

Draconis Combine

23 November 3152 

                    Po Ding stood at the foot of his Jade Phoenix with his friends gathered around him. Max was still recovering from his injuries, but would soon be back in the cockpit. Jade Takahashi looked graceful as ever, even though she stood with her hands on her hips and a look of concern on her face. 

                    "You do not need to do this, Po Ding. There must be some other way."

                    Po sighed. "We have been over this. There is no alternative but for me to best Goro in battle. He will not be denied otherwise. Have no fear, I can best him."

                    Max stepped up. "I know there is no way for me to dissuade you, Po, so I will wish you luck, my friend. Be wise, be mobile, you will carry the day."

                    Po turned back to Jade. "Know that I am not doing this for myself, but for you and for our child. I will be thinking of the both of you as I take the fight to this villain."

                    Jade kissed him on the cheek. "Think only of the fight. Stay focused. You will need all of your skill and concentration to best Goro. Focus on victory, and we will see you on the other side of the fight."

                    With that, Po turned and climbed up to his cockpit. He climbed in and sealed the hatch behind him. He quickly went through the startup routine for his Mech, securing his cooling vest and neurohelmet while his machine came to life.

                    The battle was taking place on the planetary proving grounds, a place where warriors could attempt to show their prowess to join the DCMS. The fields consisted of a vast open wilderness, with an urban setup in the center. It was around these buildings that Po and Tai-sa Okamoto Goro would face off and decide their fates.

                    Po brought his machine up to a walk, making slow progress towards the urban area of the grounds. No doubt the Tai-sa was doing the same, working his way towards the field of combat. Po had no doubt that he could best Goro, but it would take all of his skill and abilities to do so.

                    "I look forward to ending you, Po Ding!"  Goro's voice came over an open channel.

                    "Balance in all things, Okamoto Goro. You are bringing unbalanced conflict to the world. It must stop."

                    "It will stop when I put an end to you and your dishonorable offspring."

                    Po sighted Goro's Gunslinger moving out of some trees up ahead. He triggered a blast from his HAG, and a few slugs found their mark on Mech's left leg. Goro responded with his twin Gauss Rifles, but both shots flew high of their mark.

                    Po brought his machine up to a run, seeking to close the distance and bring all of his weapons into range. Once the range closed to under six hundred meters, he pulled into his main triggers. His Large Pulse Laser nibbled armor from the Gunslinger's torso, while his HAG rounds peppered the left leg again. Most importantly, his Plasma Cannon struck home, transferring immense heat onto the target. 

                    Goro responded with his full arsenal, both Gauss slugs smashing into his chest armor. His lasers missed their mark and Po continued his charge forward.

                    Goro slowed his advance, trying to take more careful aim. Po would not oblige him, triggering his Jump Jets and landing on top of a double-story building. He took aim once again, firing off his Large Pulse Laser and HAG. The laser stripped more armor from the Gunslinger's leg, while his HAG slugs landed on target on the enemy's torso. He was not doing as much damage as he normally would due to the Gunslinger's  Ballistic Reinforced Armor. It was going to be a long slog. His only chance was to remain mobile and keep peppering away at his opponent. 

                    He jetted again just as Goro opened fire, and he managed to avoid all but a single Gauss slug. It was not enough to knock him off course, and he landed atop another building. Steadying himself, he fired again, this time connecting with all of his shots on the enemy's right arm. The lasers opened up the armor, and his HAG slugs rammed into the opening, shattering the charging coils for the Gauss Rifle mounted there.

                    He triggered his Plasma Cannon as an afterthought, imparting more heat onto his opponent, who already seemed to be struggling with heat. His shots were now missing wildly.

                    Po responded with another blast from his HAG, peppering the left leg once again, finally starting to make a dent in the armor there. Po decided that it was time to move and did not shoot any of his other weapons, deciding to keep his heat under control. He hit the jump jet pedals and lifted off back toward the building he had previously been on. 

                    He had a weak spot now to aim for, and he fired his pulse laser off, aiming for the left leg, and connecting just below the knee. The laser cut into the joint, fusing the actuator in place. He followed up with a storm of HAG shells which snapped the limb clean off, and the 'Mech fell to the ground, slamming onto its already damaged arm and collapsing that limb as well.

                    "You are done, Okamoto Goro. Yield." He called over an open channel.

                    "Never, Po Ding!" 

                    Goro propped his mech up and fired his torso lasers, coring into Po's chest armor. Waste heat dumped into his cockpit as his engine shielding was nicked. Knowing that he had to finish this fight, he pulled into his triggers, risking the additional heat. 

                    His lasers cored the last of the armor from the lower portion of the Gunslinger's torso. Seeing an opening, Po Fired his HAG, sending hypersonic slugs into the hole his lasers had opened and smashing the gyroscope to pieces inside.

                    Po triggered his jump jets once again, this time landing at the feet of the fallen enemy 'Mech. He saw the mech's canopy pop open, and Goro emerged, carrying his twin samurai swords. Without saying a word, he took the smaller of the swords and plunged it into his belly, making a left-to-right cut and then a return cut in a crude form of seppuku. 

                    Po remained silent as the man bent over in pain. He had chosen this fate for himself. There was nothing to be done but to let him die. After a time, several trucks wheeled up to the scene. A team of medics rushed to the fallen Tai-sa. He had passed by the time they arrived. One of the other trucks pulled up to Po's feet, and he saw Max and Jade jump out of the cab.

                    He cracked his canopy and carefully climbed down to meet them. Jade rushed up to him and embraced him. Max followed closely behind. "I am happy to see you, Po Ding! Watching that fight was one of the most harrowing experiences of my life."

                    "I told you I would prevail. It is done. Let us get out of here."

                    Max stepped up. "There is much for you two to discuss. I will take care of things here. Go and do what needs to be done."

                    Po put a hand on Max's shoulder. "Thank you, my friend. Thank you for everything."

                    With that, they left on their way. There was much for them to consider. Everything had changed.